Suzuki powers Braves to sweep of A’s

OAKLAND, Calif. — Kurt Suzuki hit two home runs, including a tie-breaking solo shot in the top of the 12th inning, powering the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 victory against the Oakland Athletics and a three-game series sweep Sunday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum.

Leading off the 12th, the former Athletics catcher launched John Axford’s 3-1, 96 mph fastball into the left-center field seats for his sixth home run of the season. Suzuki had a leadoff homer in the second inning.

Braves right-hander Arodys Vizcaino gave up a two-out single to Khris Davis in the bottom of the 12th then walked Yonder Alonso, who was named to the American League All-Star team Sunday. But he retired Franklin Barreto on a fly ball and recorded his second save of the season.

The Braves took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 11th when Matt Kemp hit an RBI double off the center-field fence with two outs, scoring Nick Markakis, who had walked.

The A’s answered with a run in the bottom of the 11th off closer Jim Johnson. Johnson issued a leadoff walk to Davis then walked Alonso on five pitches. Barreto struck out trying to sacrifice bunt, but Bruce Maxwell doubled off the right field fence scoring Davis, making it 3-3.

Jaycob Brugman was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Adam Rosales. Rosales hit a fly ball to shallow center, and Ender Inciarte, who was playing in, made a spectacular sliding catch. Johnson struck out Rajai Davis looking to end the inning.

Inciarte, who was named to the National League All-Star team for the first time, had three hits, including an RBI double, for the Braves. He won his first Gold Glove last season.

Khris Davis slugged his team-high 23rd home run of the season, a solo shot in the seventh. He went 2-for-4 and scored twice.

Braves right-hander Julio Teheran allowed two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision, turning in another strong road start. He’s 5-0 in eight road games and 1-6 in nine starts at home. Teheran struck out eight, walked two and threw 104 pitches. He gave up his 20th home run of the season.

A’s left-hander Sean Manaea gave up two runs on six hits, including a home run, over 7 1/3 innings in a no-decision. He struck out six, walked two and threw 104 pitches. He’s 6-1 over his past nine starts.

The Braves took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Suzuki launched a leadoff homer, his fifth blast of the season. Manaea got ahead 0-2 in the count but threw an elevated, outside fastball, just off the plate, and Suzuki sent it into the left field seats. It was his first home run against the A’s in 13 career games. Suzuki played 718 games for the A’s in two stints over seven seasons

Danny Santana walked then stole second. He was initially called out, but the Braves challenged the ruling and it was overturned. Then with two outs, Inciarte brought Santana home from third with a double to right on a groundball down the line that got past first baseman Alonso.

The A’s pulled even with two runs in the seventh. Khris Davis led off with a home run to right-center, his second homer in two games against Atlanta.

With one out, Barreto singled on a pop fly that second baseman Brandon Phillips lost in the sun. Barreto stole second then Teheran walked Maxwell and Brugman, loading the bases. Adam Rosales hit a sacrifice fly off reliever Jason Motte, bringing Barreto home to make it 2-2.

NOTES: A’s RHP Jesse Hahn was optioned to Triple-A Nashville. In each of his past two starts, both losses to Houston, Hahn lasted only two innings. He gave up a combined 16 runs on 15 hits, including three home runs. … A’s RHP Zach Neal was recalled from Triple-A Nashville. Neal began his second stint of the season with Oakland. From May 24 to June 16 he had an 8.56 ERA in five relief appearances. … A’s 3B Ryon Healy left the game after the bottom of the second inning with upper back spasms and is day-to-day. … Braves LF Danny Santana, who stole three bases on Saturday, had another steal in the second inning Sunday. … Braves C Kurt Suzuki started against Oakland in place of Tyler Flowers, who got the day off. … Oakland SS Marcus Semien (fractured right wrist) will likely be reinstated from the disabled list before the All-Star break, A’s manager Bob Melvin said. Melvin pointed to the A’s four-game series at Seattle on June 6-9 as the target for Semien’s return. Semien has been on the disabled list since April 15. He began his rehab assignment with Class A Stockton then moved to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday. He went 2-for-5 with a walk-off single and two RBIs in the Sounds’ 5-4 win against Oklahoma City and played all nine innings in the field for the first time during his rehab assignment.